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Tag: vices

  • Tackling campus vices from the root

    Tackling campus vices from the root

    Some of the pressing issues on the minds of parents and employers are the quality or standard of education, knowledge, skills and values being given to tertiary education products. It’s believed that the standard can’t be improved upon without taming endemic vices on campuses. Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon reports on a recent initiative designed to counsel potential applicants on the implication of embracing such vices in higher institutions.

    Aside the quality of education, knowledge, skills and values being inculcated into undergraduates, several vices militating against the realisation of the desired education goals in tertiary institutions are of great concern to parents and administrators. Some of these vices are cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, obscene dressing, sexual promiscuity/harassment and advanced fee fraud. Employers have complained about the decline in quality of higher education graduates in the country, especially in oral and written English and technical proficiency.

    Psychologists agreed that preventing or curbing students’ vices in tertiary institutions can be done through appropriate upbringing, counselling and sanctions. This will, in turn, improve the quality of education of graduates, according to the authorities of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos and Etiquette Poise and Protocol Resource (EPRA), a private consulting firm, which gathered about 600 secondary schools’ pupils and teachers from private schools in Lagos last week.

    Welcoming the pupils to the programme, entitled, “The Campus Flaws”, the university’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Kolawole, said the event was a unique opportunity to enhance the pupils’ preparedness for higher education by instilling essential values and insights for informed decision-making.

    “Our collaborative objective is to equip you with the necessary skills and character to excel in the pursuit of your academic and career aspirations.”

    He cautioned them against unruly behaviours such as cultism, examination malpractice, fighting and hooliganism in and outside campuses.

    Using drama, others to re-orientate

    The Faculty Lead and Executive Coordinator of EPRA, Mrs. Keji Olutunji-Oladimeji, kick-started the programme, exposing the invited students to things that could add meaningful values to their lives now and in future while also cautioning them against unruly behaviours.The event featured career talk, drama, games and facility tour, among others.

    A drama troupe and drummers were on hand to entertain the pupils and other guests.

    The drama dwelled on inculcating into the pupils why they must not join bad groups on campuses and the likely negative outcomes of such unwholesome associations. The troupe showed how students were lured into cult groups and the tell-tales of those in such cults and how they end up being rusticated from schools.

    A promising actor and a member of Funke Akindele’s wave-making “The Tribe Called Judah” movie, Tobi Makinde, who was invited for the programme, also spoke with the kids in their language. According to him, he would not have realised his ambition without embracing key points preached by the promoters of the programme.

    The presence of an actor of the compelling movie, which masterfully delves into the intricacies of a quintessential Nigerian low-to-middle-income family grappling with economic and social challenges, narrated skillfully with humour, emotion, and suspense, also added impetus to the gathering.

    Olutunji-Oladimeji said the employment of drama and youth-friendly methodologies to convey messages of change was to ensure that the children’s “morale ground is on point” before entering tertiary institutions.

    She said: “SS3 students are leaving secondary school. We know they’re going to various universities. We just want to prepare them for the journey ahead. Trinity School is one of the schools we work with. And we needed the university environment for this programme. So, we spoke to Trinity University and it looks like something good for them. We took the children to prepare their minds. We only operate with about 11 schools around. We worked with over 200 schools, but Trinity could only accommodate 600 students. If not, we would have made it 2,000 students.”

    Schools that sent pupils included Fountain Heights Surulere, Harfard College, Ogudu, Ojota; Vicsum Private School Omole Phase 2, Cifman College Yaba, Jexoban Secondary School Alapere, P-stem College Magboro, Wellspring College Omole 2, Christ the King College Gbagada, Seylec  City School Ebutte Metta, Lagos and  Christ Divine Favour School, Yaba.

    On how vices militate against quality education and good characters

    On how vices militate against quality education and good characters, the faculty lead said: “By the time they (secondary school graduates) encounter a little freedom, they can easily be influenced. We let them know what they would likely face in the university through our programme. We prepare them to say no to peer pressure without any intimation. Peer pressure is the only thing that takes them away from the training they got from home, even from school and family. Everyone wants to belong. We have it in our code of conduct where we tell them to remember the child of who they are. We just wanted to equip them. That’s why we back our messages with drama.

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    “We believe that this generation is carried away by what they see. We make them to see through characters. It will stay in their heads. This will go a long way for them. It will help them in the university. We are just hoping that all these will work together for their good and become better in the university. We really believe in their generation.”

    On pupils who could not attend the event

    She said: “We have plans to see how we can take this message to the social media, so that we can reach out to more schools and pupils. We are hoping that most of them will see it. We hope they can get it online.  It’s free. They can follow our pages. We will just ensure that these children should look inward, use their discussion, intuition, look at what’s good and always weigh their options. One of the things that we taught them was about how powerful choices are.”

    Counselling in choices human make

    On  the use of counselling in the choices pupils make, Chairman of Etiquette Poise and Protocol Resource (EPRA), Olutunji Oladimeji, submitted: “Way back, secondary schools had guidance counsellors, who pupils could reach. And, yes, they played critical roles because my thinking is that people who sit in office counselling will be talking to people from their experiences. Yes, it does work well.

    “Most of the children that are graduating from secondary have their parents doing things for them. Even getting into university, it looks like they are not completely winged from their parents. If they don’t get into good schools or get people to speak to them, it won’t be long before they get missed with the wrong ones. Those conversations are very important.

    On what to expect from the programme

    Oladimeji said: “Most of the time, you forget what people tell you. I also a pastor. When you ask them how was service today?  They would tell you fantastic. Just ask one or two questions on what the pastor spoke about, it would take them long time to reply. But, I discovered there were times when we use visuals to pass message to our congregation. You ask them what was talked about, they never forget. Our thinking is that this drama will go a long way to make a lasting impression in the minds of these children as they go into higher institution.”

    Making pupils to sign Code of Conduct

    The pupils were presented and made to sign a Code of Conduct to be of good behaviour on campuses.

    The Code of Conduct reads: “I will think before I take any action. I will say no to drugs.

    “I will stay away from bad friends and negative influence.

    “I will not attend a party that has no theme.

    “I will stay away from cultism.

    “I will respect other people’s privacy.

    “I will respect everyone, so I can get the respect I also deserve.

    “I will not let my emotions run wide (I know I am human but I will look before every leap).

    “I will express my disapproval to peer influence without shame or intimidation. I will stand tall with my integrity intact.

    “I will be content with what I have. I will not forget the quality values and etiquette learnt from my secondary school.

    “I will respect my lecturers and everyone. I will comply with my university code of conduct

    I will be deliberate about outstanding grades.

    “I will uphold my family name and always remember the child of whom I am, so I can make my parents proud.

    “So, help me God.”

    On how Trinity University can make a difference

    The university’s vice-chancellor said the university was established to make a difference from other universities. 

    “Everything we do is usually divinely-ordained. The emergency of the university is a function of a group of people that came together to pray and find out what they can do to change the course of education instead of lamenting, blaming the leadership and the government.

    “Some 30 years ago, they decided to come together and intervene. They first started a foundation system, which grew and flourished. Then, they scaled it up to secondary school that is called Trinity College at Offa currently. After the success they achieved, they scaled it up to Trinity University, which was approved by the Federal Government in 2019. So, in 2019, this university took off with about 19 students and now we have about 1,200 in 16 academic programmes fully accredited by the NUC and fully accredited by professional bodies they are associated with. For example, our accountancy programme is fully accredited by ICAN. Our nursing is fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwife Council of Nigeria. Our Medical Laboratory Science is waiting for the last stage of accreditation by the MLSC board.

    “So, the new programmes we are planning to introduce next September Health Information Management, we have had our resource verification; it has been approved. We also run a programme called Biotechnology. The NUC has come for its resource verification. So, we are standing conspicuously at an advantaged position to run these programmes.

    “However, we cannot possibly project ourselves. So, we were lucky when EPRA showed up to say we could help you market your programme, showcase what you stand for, help you draw a group of 600 young Nigerians who are aspiring to go into the university system.”

    The Professor of Language Education added that the university has capable academic and non-academic workforce in a conducive and cult-free environment and it inspires creativity, innovation, ingenuity and robust curriculum producing total graduates with impeccable character and leadership skills through flexible payments.

    Decrying the exclusion of private universities from TETFUND intervention, he described it as discriminatory.

    Education, he said, is a social service and graduates from private schools are expected to contribute just like their peers from public schools to the country’s development, urging the Federal Government to amend the TETFUND Act to incorporate private tertiary institutions into the scheme.

  • Freshers warned against vices

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, has warned freshers against indulging in vices that can truncate their future. The VC spoke at the matriculation held for 3, 989 students admitted for the 2014/2015 session.

    The ceremony, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, was attended by the school principal officers and parents of the students.

    While congratulating the freshers, Prof Ajibefun advised them not to jeopardise their admission by engaging in unlawful acts.

    He said the school, in the last five years, had been running stable academic calendar and improving up its facilities to make learning conducive. He said shortage of lecture theaters, laboratories and offices was becoming history.

    He said: “Our students and alumni have made landmark achievements, which indicate university’s academic excellence. In 2014, Akeem Opeyemi Longe, a First Class law graduate, did not only repeat the same feat at the Nigerian Law School, he also emerged the best graduating student in the 2014 Bar examination. This testifies to the conducive environment of learning provided by the school.”

    “I urge you to choose the narrow but dignifying path of discipline, responsibility and eschew criminality and vices, so that your dreams of becoming responsible youths would be realized.”

    The Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, administered matriculation oath on the freshers.

    Some of the new intakes, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, promised to obey the rules and regulations of the institution.

     

  • Varsity counsels students against vices

    The Department of Counselling of the Crawford University in Atan-Agbara, Ogun State has held a counselling session for its students with the theme: Counselling towards academic excellence. The event was held at the school Multipurpose Hall.

    The session was aimed at educating the students about the positive effects of seeking counseling while they stay on the campus.

    Speaking on Counselling services and the benefits to staff and students of tertiary institutions, the institution’s Guidance Counsellor, Mrs Olushola Coker, said good counselling would help students to reach upper most level in social, educational and economic development.

    Represented by Dr E.O. Aramide, a counsellor, Mrs Coker, however, said counselling cannot proffer solutions to all human problems but said good advice could assist in reducing social problem facing mankind.

    She advised higher institutions to integrate guiding and counselling into their curriculum irrespective of discipline to guide the youth aright and build a peaceful nation.

    Dr S.O. Awosoga, the institution’s Acting Director of Health Services, spoke on Health viewpoint for enhancing students’ academic excellence during which he explained how good health could enhance academic excellence. He listed physical and emotional abuse, chronic illness, unwanted pregnancies and abortions as factors that could affect students’ health status, thereby hindering their efforts to achieve excellence.

    Awosoga advised the students to take their careers services and shun vices which can truncate their academic pursuits. He said: “The university management has shown care to all students by guiding, monitoring and always advising them on how to achieve their dreams. Students must shun all vices and take your studies seriously.”

    The event was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samson Ayanlaja; Chairman of Governing Council, Prof Peter Okebukola, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr B.A. Onyekwere, Parents’ Forum members and students.

  • Rector advises freshers against vices

    The 21st matriculation of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) in Kwara State has been held on Thursday at the 1,000-capacity Lecture Theatre.

    At the event, the Rector, Dr Muftau Olatinwo, advised the freshers to shun vices that could terminate their academic pursuits.

    Olainwo, who was represented at the event, said: “Let me make it abundantly clear that polytechnic has zero tolerance for vices. Having taken the matriculation oath today, I urge you to respect and observe the oath by eschewing all crimes, such as cultism, examination misconduct, drug addiction, rape, murder, prostitution, indecent dressing, kidnapping and any form of violence against humanity.

    “This polytechnic is governed by laws and the instrument of law shall be applied at anyone that commits infraction. I advise you to guard your admission jealousy and resist anything that may want to rub you of this golden privilege to study in this institution.”

    The Rector added that the polytechnic students topped the list of beneficiaries of state government’s scholarship, urging the freshers to brace up for excellence. He said the institution aimed to produce confident, self-reliant and knowledgeable graduates, who could compete with their peers anywhere in the world.

    The Rector ended his speech, urging the students to keep to the institution’s measures to prevent outbreak of deadly diseases, such as the Ebola on the campus.

    The president of Students’ Union Government (SUG), Festus Adedeji, appealed to the students to report strange activities around them to appropriate authority to ensure their security. “Do not go to unsafe locations. Avoid the company of people with suspicious and questionable character and if your life is being threatened by anybody, do not hesitate to contact the security unit or the Students’ Affairs Unit,” he said.

    Some of the matriculating students spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. Fatima Mustipha, an HND 1 Office Technology and Management student, said: “I am happy for being re-admitted again into the institution after my National Diploma. I am glad to be back.”

    Ganiyu Ayodeji, a 16-year-old admitted to study Quantity Surveying, said: “It feels good to gain admission at first trial. God did it for me and I will not disappoint.”

    After the official ceremony, the polytechnic’s drama group entertained the guests and the students.

  • Curbing campus vices

    Curbing campus vices

    Poor academic performances and failure among students of tertiary institutions in Nigerian are resultant effects of evil or immoral behaviours and activities such as cultism, drug abuse, campus cohabitation, prostitution, among others.

    It has also been argued from another view point that peer influence and pressure are causes of students’ participation in social vices that results in poor academic performance and failure. Whatever the case may be, peer influence plays significant role in this regard. As a background to this, it will be pertinent to look at cultism, drug abuse, campus prostitution and how they affect students’ lives and performances on campuses of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

    History shows that cult activities in tertiary institutions began at the University of Ibadan. The first secret cult in Nigeria came into existence in the 1950s, when a group of seven students led by Professor Wole Soyinka founded the Seadog Confraternity, also known as the Pyrate. Aig-Imoukhuede, Pius Oleghe, Ralph Opara, Nat Oyelo and Professor Muyiwa Awe, were the founding fathers of this cult, at the University of Ibadan. The sole objective of the cult was to fight colonialism, to end tribalism and elitism, and to ensure the dignity of man. Their ideas were both patriotic and altruistic, as it was not imagined as a secret cult. The objectives revolved around the maintenance of polite behaviour among people of the different background and chivalry portrayed the dreams of the founders. Its members engaged in humanitarian activities such as donation of blood to hospitals to save lives and presentation of gifts to orphanages, to assist the hopeless in the society.

    Today, the reverse has been the case. Secret cults constitute themselves into a protection group that fight and advance the rights and privileges of their members, including harassments, brutalization, and sometimes killing of fellow students who challenge their members and lecturers who fail them in examinations. Many students have been lured into joining secret societies through deception. Such deception include becoming one of the untouchables once you are a member, controlling the most beautiful girl on campus, passing examinations without study, and so on.

    The effects of cultism on students and their learning processes cannot be overemphasized. This is evident from the existence and modes of operation of cult groups on campuses. Clashes between members of different cult groups result to killings, destruction of facilities and disruption of academic activities.

    Findings also reveal that more than fifty notorious cult groups exist on Nigerian campuses and have also resulted to the death of thousands of students. They include Black-Axe, Eiye, Mafia, Maphite, Klansman, Black Beret, Black Cat, Black Cross, Jurist, Mgba Mgba, Thomas Boys, Black Brassier, to mention a few. These groups operate in different levels at universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    Cohabitation has also become a common phenomenon among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Campus marriage, as it is fondly called among students, is a situation whereby a male and female student lives together in a rented apartment outside the school as husband and wife. Living in alone is now a thing of the past as some students want to experiment the bliss of marital life before leaving campus and getting married proper.

    In this pattern of settlement, male students assume the role of a husband and his girlfriend, the wife. This relationship has every attribute of a real marriage, except that pregnancy is avoided and the consent of the parents of both parties is not neccessary. In a nutshell, the male student- often referred to as the husband- relies on his parents for money to become the breadwinner as he provides the female student with money for food, sightseeing during weekends and most often, provides the female with money for her upkeep. The female student on the other hand cooks, cleans up the house and satisfies her man’s sexual appetite.

    The consequences of this immoral act is failure or poor academic performance, as some only remember that they are students actually when examinations come knocking, when they have spent better part of the semester practicing family life. On the other hand, it also results to unwanted pregnancy, which in turn leads to one or two of the students dropping out of school. In some cases, it results to the death of the female student in attempt to abort such pregnancy.

    Moreover, drug abuse and consumption of harmful substances among students has extended to include not only male, but female students of tertiary institutions. Apart from alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, students have cultivated the habit of consuming substances such as cocaine, heroin, morphine and paregoric methadone. These substances or drugs are dangerous to healthy living as they reduce physical and psychological sensibility. They adversely affect excellent academic performance among students.

    To remedy our campuses from this tragedy, and to avert indecent and evil practices among students, governments and authorities of high institutions in Nigeria should actively monitor the movement of students. This can be achieved through the provision of security personnel who are well-trained in human psychology to be able to identify drug addicts and cultists on campuses.

    Guidance and counseling units should be created in institutions where there are none, and should be strengthened in institution where they exist. Students should be mandated to attend counseling sessions.

    Authorities of high institutions, particularly the students’ affairs division and the security units, should monitor carefully the activities of all registered students’ unions, associations and clubs. This is because many cult groups operate under the guise of registered social and cultural associations. These will help to avert all indecent and evil practices on campuses and produce well-trained and excellent students.

     

    Ahmad, 300-Level Mass Comm., NSUK

  • Ashafa seeks end to vices

    Ashafa seeks end to vices

    The senator representing Lagos East, ‘Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, yesterday urged Muslims pray for Nigeria to overcome its sundry socio-economic vices.

    “As the celebration continues, we should all reflect on the ideals of good living, which all religions preach; avoid any form of violence and promote peace, harmony and religious tolerance among all men, regardless of ethnic, colour and religious affinity,” he said.

    The lawmaker noted that “having undergone the rigours of the holy month of Ramadan with its concomitant diverse ibadah (acts of worship), we should thank Almighty God and live according to His dictates among family members, friends and associates as well as the larger society to enable us have a country that is free from the shackles of social vices as a result of injustice, inequality and hate”.

     

  • ‘Blame parents for vices among children’

    ‘Blame parents for vices among children’

    The surge in vices among youths is because ‘parents have failed their children,’ a Professor of Early Childhood Education Mrs Osanyin Florence Ajike has said.

    She was the guest speaker at the 32rd distinguished lecture of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto, Ajanikan.

    Speaking on the theme, In the best interest of the Nigerian, child, she blamed parents for over pampering their children with the good things of life. Unfortunately, the children who unknown to their parents, crave genuine love and affection rather than the comfort, turned out wayward, she said.

    To reverse this situation however, Prof Osanyin advised parents to make the home settings more child-friendly, safeguard children against abuse, and respect them.

    She said: “Parents are strongly implored to be more interested in their children. There is a need for mind shift in the homes, day care centres and nursery schools especially in resolving issues and confrontation. The home settings should portray more child-friendlier environment.

    “Parents should also provide an environment that is safe by keeping their children away from physical, sexual, moral and emotional abuse, correcting or removing any potential dangers around the environment. It is also important to provide the children with self-esteem needs by accepting their uniqueness and respect their individuality.”

    Osanyin emphasised ‘influence’, ‘teach’ and ‘control’ as three key values every parents must imbibe, adding that a child’s total development is a reflection of his/her upbringing at home.

    She noted that parents nowadays dread the children by constantly giving in to their demands, a trend Osayin described was dangerous as such children become indiscipline and uncontrollable in future.

    She further admonished parents to ‘monitor’ what their wards listen to or watch on television or computer, as the media, though a powerful educative tool, can also condition children’s mind via senseless meaningless and frightful movies laced with ‘strong, language and violence (SLV).

    She said: “Specifically, television is more common than than the print media because it serves every class member of the society. Unlike adults that can discern what type of programmes is good to watch and which is not, children are not that lucky to identify good and bad shows. On the international scene, very young children have been reported in many cases to have played with guns and shot their playmates.”

    According to her, there is an entrenched moral decadence as many parents, crave material wealth desperately, and in their chase for it, abandon their primary responsibility to their children who eventually become tainted through such circumstances.

    “Nigerians parents are known for being preoccupied with the acquisition of material things at all cost to the detriment of their children, and this has affected their moral standard.

    “Crave and greed for acquiring things have resulted in all forms of malpractices and corruption. Societal norms are discarded and then traditional cultural values and ways of life neglected,” she added.

  • VC admonishes students on vices

    The Vice-Chancellor Prof Femi Mimiko, has admonished the fresh students of the university to be civil and shun any form of vices that could hamper their studentship.

    Mimiko gave the admonition last Monday at a three-day orientation programme organised by the university for the new students.

    He said: “Civility is the golden rule in the university system. Deadline is sacrosanct. Shun all forms of anti- social vices and you must do everything possible to keep focus on your academic pursuit, which is the core reason you are here.”

    The VC, who congratulated the new students on their admission, noted that the programme was inevitable as it would provide basic information that would help integrate them into the university system.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rotimi Ajayi, encouraged the students to see themselves as agents of change and be in constant search of knowledge so as to key into the university’s vision and mission.

    The Dean of Students, Prof Oluyemisi Adebowale, advised the new intake to maximise the liberal opportunity provided by the university to achieve their goals in life.

     

  • ‘A beauty queen must shun vices’

    ‘A beauty queen must shun vices’

    Jane Nwagbuo has been crowned the Face of Edo. Though she went into modelling in 2007 as a Statistics undergraduate at the Imo State University (IMSU), Jane, who hails from Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, beat 20 other contestants to become the 2012 winner of the Face of Edo State. She spoke with NOSAKHARE UWADIAE on her passion for the less privileged.

    Can you share with us how you became the Face of Edo last year?

    I was selected to be 2012 Face of Edo not because I was the most beautiful and intelligent among other contestants. But I always have positive spirit in everything I do. I can’t say I was the best but I think my passion for modeling stood me out of many during the pageant. I always bring this to bear in everything I do.

    How has your being beauty queen affected your life?

    It has altered my life in ways I did not imagine. It has got me to be busier and strained my relationship with people. I always tell people, especially friends not to think that I have abandoned them, because majority of them are not happy with me. I always explain to some of them that I am now a busy person. Even I miss some calls due to my schedule.

    How do you cope with advances from men?

    Well, I was trained to be well-behaved. Besides, my background does not allow me to irresponsibly flirt around. I cannot afford to be the butt of jokes from admirers and friends by making myself a cheap whore for shameless men. I am quite aware of some men’s antics but I can’t afford to travel that road. It is not good for my career as a beauty queen. I can assure you that I will not be a disgrace to my family.

    What are the things that you used to do but which you can’t do again as a beauty queen?

    I used to put on trousers before but now as a queen, I can no longer do so. I laugh so loud before, now everything is done privately. Before now, I used to walk on the road but that has stopped now. My life has changed as a beauty queen.

    What is it that people must not see you doing?

    People must not see me smoking cigarettes or peddling drugs. In fact a beauty queen must not be seen drinking alcohol because naturally, we must be seen as role models. We must not be caught misbehaving.

    After your reign, what would you like to be remembered for?

    I want to be remembered for love for children and the under-privileged. I love to assist them because I hate to see children being maltreated or abandoned. This is why I will establish orphanage homes in Edo to make the vulnerable comfortable in the Nigerian society. I will start with renovation of two orphanage homes in Benin City. I wish to do more but I’m starting with two. These motherless children need to have the comfort of home. Meanwhile, my pet project also extends down to Imo State where I come from. I will visit schools in the rural areas to encourage pupils who are unable to go to school or buy books. I will ensure such people are uplifted.

    How would you describe Edo State culture?

    Edo State culture is very rich. This is why I am learning the Benin language. Though, I am still unable to speak it fluently but I sincerely love the heritage of the state. I can say that I am privileged to emerge the Face of Edo even though I am not from the state.